Veitato: LUST IN THE FORBIDDEN ADVENTURE

34: Ditching

  
        Looking at the mirror, I paused. I scoffed at my reflection as I combed my hair out.

      I was trying to cover the hickeys with my hair.

        I grabbed the jacket on my bed and wore it. I reached for the collar and raised it up.

    
  I needed it to cover so I wouldn't get all that attention in school. I didn't want people staring at me weirdly. It wasn't as if I was still in high school, it could be no one would even notice.

 
     I reached for my phone in my pocket and texted Gladys.

     'Leaving for school, see you soon.'

      When the message delivered, I let out a small sigh and shook the phone back into my pockets.

     I checked my reflection one last time and saw I did a good job hiding it. I smiled in satisfaction and turned to leave the room.

  

     I walked to the dining searching for Luciano. He was the one who always complained about going late and now he wasn't here.

     "Luciano?" I called as I looked around.

      There was no response.

     "Stop it Luciano. Where are you?"

      I checked everywhere but there was no sign of him. I returned to the sitting room and there I found a note on the center table.

    I picked it up. "Use the money to get to school," I read out loud.

My eyes fell to the table and I saw the cash he left.

I frowned. What does that mean?

I quickly dialed his number because I didn't understand what was going on.

"Tiffany," he said the moment the call connected.

"Yes, what's going on?" I asked.

"Did you see the cash?"

"Yes but I don't understand. Where are you and what's going on?"

"Listen Tiff, I can't talk now."

"I need an explanation! I don't get it. You just disappeared."

"I needed to do something. Just go to school okay? Take a bus or something and I'll meet you later. I have to go now."

"Wait—"

     The beep sound made me realize he had already ended the call.

He was in a hurry and I didn't get it. However, this sounded too good to be true.

Luciano allowing me to go to school by myself? So unreal.

A small smile crept on my lips as I reached for my backpack.

I locked the door and slid the keys into my jacket. I was sure Luciano had his keys but even if he didn't, i'd probably get home before him.

     I took the shortest route to the freeway and boarded a bus. I felt the adrenaline rush the moment I climbed inside and saw the different faces.

      I sat behind and looked through the window. The experience was way different than sitting in Luciano's car.

     This was more enjoyable and thrilling.

An old woman walked toward me and took the seat in front of me. For a moment, I felt my heart skip but I knew I was just being paranoid.

Nothing was going to happen to me because Luciano wasn't here. I tried to focus in the trip and when the next bus stop was announced, I sprawled up immediately.